Shirlington To Host Largest Wags n’ Whiskers Event To Date

Pet-centric vendors and their canine consumers will descend upon Shirlington for the 6th annual Wags n’ Whiskers event next weekend.

From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, animal-lovers will get a chance to peruse the corridors of Shirlington with their dog or feline friends. This year promises to be the largest event yet, with more than 50 vendors supplying pet-friendly products, activities and adoption opportunities — 60 percent more vendors than last year.

“The annual event celebrates the community’s pets and brings awareness to great animal services and non-profits,” said Jill Powell, senior marketing manager for Federal Realty Investment Trust, the company hosting the event. “The idea that a pet could find a new home because of the event is a great bonus of Wags N’ Whiskers.”

This year, 3,000 to 5,000 people are expected to attend. Wags n’ Whiskers is a family-oriented event that will include kid-friendly activities like face painting and balloon art. Other events include $5 pet photos, live entertainment, demonstrations and giveaways.